Out in Front

Updates from the MSPP School Psychology Program

March/April 2012

Spring semester is something of a misnomer, as most of it falls in the dead of winter. But this Spring semester was warmer and livelier than ever, with much good news to tell and many exciting event to anticipate.

There’s No Place Like a New Home

It’s official at last! The March 21st meeting of the Board of Trustees was the occasion for signing the lease to MSPP’s new home in Newton. Looking forward to the move this September, President Covino shared these words with the MSPP community:

The move to this new facility will truly transform MSPP. With a physical space that matches the dignity of the work that our students and staff do each day; a building that is identifiable to the public and a facility that offers the resources to support our educational and social mission, the image of MSPP as a ‘College of Psychology’ will continue to crystallize. As MSPP takes occupancy of 1 Wells Avenue, it physically assumes a space among New England’s institutions of higher learning with greater opportunity to speak to the community about the importance of Mental Health Care for all. It allows a more visible platform to address the importance of providing specialists to care for Spanish-speakers, children and our Veterans and their families and of the critical need to educate socially sensitive professionals to meet the mental health needs of people in health care, schools, courts, higher education and business.

Commencement Goes Upscale and Downtown

The MSPP Commencement has outgrown yet another venue, leaving behind the suburban sites of the Dedham Hilton and the Four Points Sheraton in Norwood to arrive at one of Boston’s premier establishments: the Park Plaza Hotel in downtown Boston. Befitting this prestigious site, the Commencement speaker will be Dr. David Satcher, former Surgeon General of the United States and the driving force behind the landmark 1999 Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health. Another dignitary will receive an honorary degree as well. Boston mayor Thomas Menino will be honored with the Doctor of Humane Letters degree for his work in developing and supporting Boston neighborhoods and for extending access to critical health care services to the poor.

Intern of the Year: Lisa Andrade

Congratulations to Lisa Andrade, 2nd year advanced standing School Psychology PsyD student, who was honored at her practicum site, Community Care Services, as Intern of the Year. Just two months earlier, Lisa’s supervisor Bea Medeiros (to Lisa’s left in the photo) was honored as the agency’s Employee of the Year. Flanking the honorees are Robert Fraser (far left), the clinic’s Director of Training, and Bob Lichtenstein (far right), Director of the MSPP School Psychology Program.

2012 Gala to Benefit Children and Families

The annual MSPP Gala returns to the Newton Marriott on May 4th. This event—ever festive, lively and inspiring—has special meaning for our program with this year’s theme of “Celebrating our Commitment to Children and Families.” Funds raised by the Gala will benefit the mental health services MSPP provides through the Freedman Center (home to Primary Project, Warm Lines, and Interface℠) and the Brenner Center (site of the advanced standing practicum for School Psychology PsyD students), and will support initiatives that enable faculty and student to investigate and demonstrate the value of social-emotional learning and other school-based services for children and families.

More Coming Attractions: Incoming Students

On March 10th, we welcomed applicants to MSPP for School Psychology Program admissions interviews. This diverse, engaging, and responsive group hailed from 8 different states, including three from California and one (driving nonstop!) from Arkansas. We have been hearing from many of them with appreciative comments and last-minute questions and requests, and look forward to seeing many of them in our midst next year.